The government made various changes to the country’s level 3 lockdown amid to COVID-19, here is what you need to know about accommodation and the opening of national parks.
These changes are aimed at introducing different parts of the country’s economy especially the restaurant industry as well as tourism and other sports.
The Kruger National Parks has welcomed the announcement made by the Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane’s on Thursday, 30 July 2020 involving the lifting of restrictions around leisure travel.
Kubayi-Ngubane said that the public will be allowed to visit for leisure purposes only within their provinces.
SANParks CEO, Fundisile Mketeni, said Mketeni said that c is likely to implement some additional visitor management procedures to ease entry into the parks and further mitigate the risk of the spread of coronavirus.
“We appreciate that after four months of confinement, the public is keen to engage with nature, however, we are obligated to ensure that the opening of our national parks for accommodation is done under the strictest health protocols to safeguard both our staff and guests”.
He said in due course SANParks will make further announcements regarding the opening dates of accommodation in individual parks.
“We are comfortable with their state of preparedness to welcome you back. We, therefore, beg your indulgence as the opening needs to be done responsibly for the safety and enjoyment of all our guests.
Mketeni said overnight accommodation is only permissible for residents of the various provinces that the respective National Parks are located in.
“Guests will be required to provide proof of residence at the time of booking accommodation and again when checking in. Interprovincial visitors will be prohibited entry into the parks.”
The CEO further expressed that tour operators will be allowed to conduct guided tours in open safari vehicles subject to directives that are still to be communicated and gazetted, meanwhile self-drive guests are restricted to a 70% vehicle capacity.